Spielberg and J.J. Abrams to Collaborate on Super 8

by Damian McKnight

J.J. Abrams is one of the hardest working men in show business. Abrams, currently involved with the wrapping up of Lost along with producing the hit show Fringe, his new pilot Undercovers, the upcoming Mission: Impossible IV,and Star Trek 2 sequel, has added another project to the pile. The announcement follows a week of Internet buzz leading up to the release of the film's 90-second teaser trailer, which debuted during midnight screenings of Iron Man 2. Abrams wrote and will direct the film, which he is also producing with Spielberg.

It has been reported that Abrams has finished the script for "Super 8", which is said to be, "a tip of the hat to [Spielberg's] movies of the seventies and early eighties". Abrams is expected to helm the new film himself, with production to take place as early as this fall for Paramount.

Details on the story of the film weren't available, however it is rumored that the film will deal with ordinary people put in extraordinary--or otherworldly-- circumstances, in the vein of such early Spielberg classics such as Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The idea was reportedly born out of conversations between Abrams and Spielberg about their respective experiences of toying around with Super 8 cameras when they were younger. The Hollywood Reportersuggests the film will feature a group of kids who catch something sinister on film while playing with their own camera.

The web site Vulture stated that Abrams was "insistent" that Spielberg be involved in the project. "J.J. wants to make sure Steven is properly paid homage to," said the site's source. "This is really an interpretation of some of Spielberg's earlier films, but done in a personal way."

Next up for Steven Spielberg is Future Earth. Variety is reporting that Discovery Channel and Spielberg are teaming up for the animated miniseries. DreamWorks Animation is behind this project that will look at what life on the planet Earth will be like in 25, 50 and 100 years. Spielberg will also be helming the film adaptation of War Horse, and will release "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" next year.